Deployment Experiences

Research on deployment related stress suggests that most Service Members experienced chronic, daily stressors, as well as traumatic events during deployment. Service members may have experienced some of the following daily stressors:

Insect bites

Uncomfortable climate (heat, cold)

Poor access to and use of bathrooms or showers when needed

Long workdays

Disturbing smells

Frequent/constant loud noises

Unsanitary conditions

Food/water in short supply or of poor quality

Concerns about family at home (children, spouses)

Loss of contact with friends

Lack of appreciation and support from unit

Of course, in a war zone, there is always concern about safety. Over 50% of Service Members reported experiencing the following:

Being attacked or ambushed

Receiving incoming artillery, rocket, or mortar fire

Being shot at or receiving small-arms fire

Loss is also a common experience with over 50% of Service Members reporting:

Seeing dead bodies or human remains

Knowing someone who was seriously injured or killed

Other traumatic experiences that may have been experienced include:

Witnessing a horrific accident

Smelling decomposing bodies

Being knocked out by an explosion

Being hospitalized for an injury

Witnessing or participating in brutality toward others

Being responsible for the death of a civilian

It is important to remember that these events and experiences are life changing, even if they do not always lead to a diagnosis of PTSD.